AI in Education Podcast
Dan Bowen and Ray Fleming are experienced education renegades who have worked in many various educational institutions and educational companies across the world. They talk about Artificial Intelligence in Education - what it is, how it works, and the different ways it is being used. It's not too serious, or too technical, and is intended to be a good conversation. Please note the views on the podcast are our own or those of our guests, and not of our respective employers (unless we say otherwise at the time!)
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Building Superhumans: Reinventing Schools for the AI Age
10/15/2026
Building Superhumans: Reinventing Schools for the AI Age
What if AI could help us build schools that don't just prepare students for the future, but fundamentally rethink what education should look like? In this episode, and are joined by , Founding , a school recognised internationally for its innovative approach to education and winner of Will shares how Franklin has embraced AI from the outset, moving beyond fears of automation to create a learning environment where technology gives teachers time back, challenges students to think more deeply, and develops the human capabilities that matter most. The conversation explores: Building the school of the future – rethinking curriculum, timetables and traditional education models. AI and teacher empowerment – how Franklin aims to save teachers 8–9 hours a week while strengthening their professional judgement. Rethinking assessment – why AI should make learning more challenging, not easier. Developing superhuman skills – prioritising critical thinking, ethics, resilience and real-world experiences. Personalised learning – moving beyond age-based progression towards skills, capabilities and student autonomy. An inspiring conversation about building schools where AI enhances human potential rather than replacing it.
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The AI Learning Paradox: Better Results, Less Learning?
10/08/2026
The AI Learning Paradox: Better Results, Less Learning?
In this episode Ray and Dan explore a whirlwind of AI announcements and research, asking a critical question: Is AI helping students learn, or simply helping them produce better work? Australian universities are going all-in on AI, with UNSW, Flinders and the University of Sydney announcing major rollouts. Meanwhile, New South Wales schools are being warned not to rely on AI detection tools to identify cheating. The research raises fascinating questions. Estonia's nationwide AI experiment reveals surprising student resistance to AI tutoring, while OECD PISA data highlights concerning links between frequent AI use and lower assessment scores. New research also explores the Learning Performance Paradox - when AI improves students' work without improving their understanding. Ray and Dan also discuss screen time in schools, the disappearance of Custom GPTs and Gems, and why much AI education research needs greater rigour. Plus, Ray announces that his complete is now available free! Links and resources Uni's go all-in on AI tools - with , , and all jumping on the AI bus And finally, did we mention this enough?
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Andrew Fuller on AI, neurodiversity and personalised learning
10/01/2026
Andrew Fuller on AI, neurodiversity and personalised learning
Clinical psychologist and author joins Ray and Dan to explore how AI could support neurodivergent learners, strengthen student agency and change the role of teachers. Andrew argues that neurodiversity should be understood through strengths rather than deficits, and shares practical ways he is already using AI with young people. These include using AI to ask reflective questions, build personalised learning plans, structure revision, prepare for social situations and act as a less confronting source of feedback. The conversation also looks at the wider implications for schools. If AI can provide more personalised support, what should teachers spend more time doing? Andrew suggests the opportunity is to reduce routine work and give teachers more space to design strong learning experiences, build relationships and develop judgement and curiosity. They also discuss equity, assessment, AI literacy, school change and why educators may get further by treating AI as something to experiment with, rather than another task to master. More info Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn at Andrew's MyLearningStrengths website is at More info on Andrew's professional services centred on Resilience, psychology, brains and learning for schools, parents, students and professionals at And finally, here's where Andrew shares his brilliant free resources for schools, students and parents:
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Don't Panic: AI Might End Humanity, But Apparently Laptops Ended Education First
09/24/2026
Don't Panic: AI Might End Humanity, But Apparently Laptops Ended Education First
This week on the AI in Education Podcast, Ray is taking a well-earned break, hopefully enjoying a piña colada somewhere sunny while still keeping one eye on the week's AI headlines. Joining Dan as special co-host is Chris Goodall, education leader from the Bourne Education Trust in the UK. Together they unpack one of the most extraordinary weeks of AI news in recent memory, from warnings of existential risk and calls to slow AI development, through to debates about trust, regulation and whether "move fast and break things" is finally coming to an end. The conversation then shifts to back to education, where the release of the latest PISA results has reignited debates about screen time, technology and student outcomes. Are laptops really to blame for declining results? Or are we falling into the trap of confusing correlation with causation? Note: This episode was recorded before the news of the OpenAI Australian government Medicare hack, details of which can be found here: Sources mentioned - an excellent narrative on the nuiances behind the current news of technology in classroom as always
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Dr Phil Cummins: The Tide Is In — AI Is Here
09/17/2026
Dr Phil Cummins: The Tide Is In — AI Is Here
AI is already changing education. So why are we still trying to hold back the tide? In this episode, Dan and Ray are joined by , educator, author, co-host of the , and . Phil argues that education needs to stop "pearl-clutching" over AI and start thinking seriously about what it means for assessment, curriculum and the role of teachers. If students are already using AI, how do we design authentic assessment around the knowledge, skills, dispositions, habits and wisdom we actually want them to develop? The conversation ranges from Phil’s beginnings teaching Latin to character education, equity, oracy and the danger of educational fads. At its heart is a powerful argument for the enduring importance of teachers: technology should amplify human relationships, not replace them. For school leaders, Phil’s message is refreshingly straightforward: treat AI as a game, learn to use the tools, and find a way to win the game of AI. Links for more information Apple Podcasts: Spotify: And finally, if you're not sure about the reference to "The Solihull Hospital", then you're in for a treat from the BBC's "Yes, Minister" series:
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Is AI in Education Reaching an Inflection Point?
09/10/2026
Is AI in Education Reaching an Inflection Point?
Recorded live at the , this episode explores whether AI in education has reached an inflection point. Ray and Dan unpack a series of recent stories showing how quickly AI is becoming part of wider debates about education, employment, policy and trust. They look at , where staff are seeking consultation over how AI is introduced, and compare that with AI-related provisions already included in . As part of the discussion they mentioned , and a previous podcast episode with . They also examine headlines claiming - and the university's response that The conversation then turns to on generative AI for younger students, alongside plans for AI critical-thinking education in high schools. Underlying it all is a bigger question: as AI becomes mainstream in education, can the conversation remain balanced - and should the podcast hear more from sceptics, critics and those challenging the direction of travel? Want to contribute to the discussion? Email us at Want to share your love for the podcast? Well, we can't ask for more than a review in your podcast app, which will help other educators find the stories we share!
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Inside Oxford’s AI Competency Centre: Rethinking Assessment and Authorship
09/03/2026
Inside Oxford’s AI Competency Centre: Rethinking Assessment and Authorship
What does authorship mean when AI can help us turn our ideas into polished academic writing? And how should universities rethink assessment as those tools become part of everyday life? In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Webb-Davies, Lead Education AI Consultant at the , to explore how Oxford is approaching AI across the institution, from providing tools and training staff and students to building AI capability responsibly. Kelly takes us on her journey in teaching and learning, and challenges some fundamental assumptions about language, writing and authorship. Drawing on her background in linguistics and education, she argues that we need to distinguish between a student’s intellectual contribution and the language used to express it. Along the way, we discuss AI detection, linguistic equity, cognitive engagement, oral assessment and why universities may need to rethink what they’re actually trying to assess. Further Reading from Kelly: Kelly's VFWA Assessment Model Kelly's DETAP framework The AI Inherent Risk Scale (AIIRS) Framework, from Kelly, Dr Mark Bassett and Ella Wicks Further reading from other sources: Kelly talked about the ICAP Framework from ASU When talking about writing in your voice, Kelly mentioned Kane Murdoch's blog, which is at And Dan mentioned Sharon Oviatt's book, The Design of Future Educational Interfaces
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AI in Education: Who Gets to Decide?
08/27/2026
AI in Education: Who Gets to Decide?
Who gets to decide how AI is used in education? Government decides what happens to assessment. Google decides whether Gemini appears by default. OpenAI and parents decide controls for teenagers. Universities and unions decide workplace AI arrangements. Regulators decide expectations around consent. And schools are trying to work out what they should decide. In this episode, Dan and Ray explore that question through a packed week of AI in education news. They look at Australia’s response to AI and take-home assessment, the arrival of parental controls in ChatGPT for Teens, and why Ray is uncomfortable with Google enabling Gemini by default for students. The conversation moves from the classroom to the workplace, with Adelaide University putting AI transparency, human oversight and staff consultation into its enterprise agreement, while new ASQA guidance raises important questions about consent and the use of student data in AI systems. They also unpack new Australian eSafety research into children’s use of AI assistants and companions, and tackle the increasingly heated debate about data centres, energy and water use. As Ray puts it, “We’re building this plane as we fly it.” The challenge is making sure education still gets a say in where it’s going. Here's the links to go deeper into our topics: ’ As discussed, good stuff on this from Tim kitchen
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When Does AI Help Learning - and When Does It Replace It?
08/20/2026
When Does AI Help Learning - and When Does It Replace It?
What does the research actually tell us about when generative AI helps learning, and when it starts to replace it? Ray and Dan are joined by and from the University of Sydney, and from the Barker Institute, to explore the new "Young People, Learning and Generative AI" report. Drawing together a huge body of research, the report moves the conversation beyond whether AI is simply "good" or "bad" for education. Instead, it identifies the conditions that determine whether AI supports genuine learning. The conversation explores the learner at the centre; the design of the AI tool; the learning task; who else is involved; and the wider cultural and institutional context. Ray learns the difference between cognition and metacognition, and we discuss strategic cognitive offloading, and a crucial new skill for students: deciding what to delegate to AI and what thinking they need to retain themselves. Ultimately, the question for educators becomes: is AI supporting the learning goal, or replacing the learning? The Young People, Learning and Generative AI report is online at: For more project information, and webinar recordings, head to:
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Is AI Helping Students Perform, or Actually Learn?
08/13/2026
Is AI Helping Students Perform, or Actually Learn?
This week, Ray and Dan end up discussing a fundamental question: what is education actually for in the age of AI? They explore new EU AI Act transparency requirements and the emerging role of AI watermarking, including what this could mean for the often-unreliable world of AI detection. The conversation then turns to assessment. With Australian policymakers questioning take-home assessment and universities rethinking assessment for an AI-enabled world, Ray and Dan discuss why the goal isn't simply to make assessment “AI-proof”, but to ensure students are still developing knowledge, judgement, creativity and critical thinking. They also examine major new research into young people's use of generative AI from the Barker Institute and University of Sydney. Across 271 peer-reviewed studies, the evidence suggests AI can improve students' immediate performance and engagement - but better performance doesn't necessarily mean better learning. Finally, they explore “hybrid reading”: how students are using AI to orient themselves, clarify difficult concepts, translate academic language and check their own understanding. Mentioned in this episode: - and a
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The Hidden Gender Gap in AI Education, with Juliana Peloche
08/06/2026
The Hidden Gender Gap in AI Education, with Juliana Peloche
The Hidden Gender Gap in AI Education, with Juliana Peloche In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, we welcome to explore one of the most important (and often overlooked) conversations in educational AI: the gender gap. Juliana shares how a Year 5 student's curiosity about AI sparked her own research journey, leading to a PhD and, ultimately, the co-founding of . Together, we discuss why representation matters (see ?), the barriers women continue to face in AI (see HBR's and ) and what educators, institutions and industry can do to create more inclusive opportunities. The conversation hears about new research into how female university students are using AI, revealing surprising findings around ethics, trust, academic integrity, and confidence with AI tools. We also explore AI bias, the importance of visible role models, and practical ways schools and universities can encourage more women to lead in the field. Links and resources: Go deeper: Ray's free AI for Humans course covers this in ""
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Two Free AI Resources Every Teacher Should Download
07/30/2026
Two Free AI Resources Every Teacher Should Download
Two Free AI Resources Every Teacher Should Download Lee Barrett joins Ray to unpack the biggest AI in education news and research. This week, while Dan enjoys the Pacific Northwest, Ray is joined by returning guest (from ) for a wide-ranging discussion on the latest AI in education news and research. The episode explores why one of the world's leading law schools is restricting technology in first-year classes while embracing AI later in the course, what Anthropic's new Claude for Teachers initiative could mean for educators, and why headlines about AI "writing" university assignments deserve much closer scrutiny. The conversation also dives into five new research papers covering AI-assisted teaching, student feedback, assessment reform, learning analytics, and how students are really using AI in higher education. Along the way, Ray and Lee discuss why assessment - not AI detection - is becoming education's biggest challenge; why productive struggle still matters; and why good teaching remains at the heart of meaningful learning. This week's free resources – a practical collection of ideas for designing assessment in an AI-enabled world. – a research-informed guide from La Trobe University that connects learning science with practical classroom use of AI. News mentioned - and AI in Education Research Reports Generative AI can harm teaching Artificial intelligence and feedback in university education: effectiveness and student perceptions Grading in an age of assessment reform: the elephant in the room Interactive learning dashboards: rethinking learning visualisations as engagement tools Illuminating complex student realities of artificial intelligence through an entangled pedagogy framework Just one of the papers from the excellent project
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Why AI in Education Starts With Better Conversations: Dr Jo Orlando
07/23/2026
Why AI in Education Starts With Better Conversations: Dr Jo Orlando
How can schools and parents help young people navigate AI while supporting learning, wellbeing and critical thinking? In this episode, Dan and Ray are joined by digital wellbeing researcher to explore how AI is reshaping education and the lives of young people. They discuss AI literacy, digital wellbeing, equity, social media, and why understanding how students actually use technology is essential. Jo shares practical advice for educators and parents, arguing that the most important tool isn't another policy—it's better conversations. A thoughtful discussion on helping students use AI as a thinking partner, rather than letting AI do the thinking for them. Jo's website is for more details on her, her book, and her professional work. Jo's book, , is available on as both a and
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Higher Marks, Lower Learning? AI's Favourite Magic Trick
07/18/2026
Higher Marks, Lower Learning? AI's Favourite Magic Trick
Higher Marks, Lower Learning? AI's Favourite Magic Trick This week, Ray and Dan unpack a bumper collection of AI in education news and research, all pointing to one critical question: Is AI helping students learn…or just helping them score higher? The episode begins with a striking case from Brown University, where a take-home exam averaged 96%, only for the same cohort to average 48% in a supervised final. From there, Ray and Dan explore what the latest research says about AI-assisted assessment, automated marking, AI tutors, critical thinking, and the growing importance of student agency. They also discuss: New evidence on AI marking compared with human examiners Research showing how guided AI tutoring can improve maths learning Why critical thinking is the biggest predictor of successful AI use The risks of "never-skilling" when students rely too heavily on AI AI detectors: what they can (and can't) reliably tell us New Australian data on AI's impact on employment The latest Digital Education Council survey of university students Online safety and the growing challenge of AI-assisted image abuse As always, the episode is packed with practical insights, research summaries, and plenty of discussion about what all this means for educators, schools and universities. Links - News Voice got an upgrade Inside Higher Ed article: Brown Professor Suspects Majority of His Class Used AI to Cheat Digital Education Council AI in Higher Education Global Survey One in 25 teens affected by AI-assisted online abuse, study finds. Read Lee Barrett's opinion: AI and employment in Australia - report from Department of Education and Workplace Relations Links - Research AI in University Assessment: Evaluating the Opportunities and Risks of Automated Marking LLM Performance on a Real, Double-Marked GCSE Benchmark Teaching with Gemini: Measuring the impact of Guided Learning on student mathematics progress in Sierra Leone Access is Not Enough: Human Support Improves Engagement with AI Tutoring The Generative AI Learning Penalty: Evidence from Chinese Secondary Education The agency gap: perceived human AI agency, reflection and generative AI learning across UK and China based higher education contexts How Do Autonomy, Critical Thinking, and Artificial Intelligence Value Perception Affect University Student Self-regulated Learning? The cognitive impact of ChatGPT in higher education: A systematic review of critical and creative thinking outcomes AI-induced never-skilling in medical education (Paywalled) Who wrote this? Evaluating the reliability of AI detection tools in higher education .
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What schools and small business can teach each other about AI
07/09/2026
What schools and small business can teach each other about AI
Most Australian students won't graduate into global tech companies. They'll build careers in small and medium businesses. So are schools and universities preparing them for that reality? In this episode, Dan and Ray are joined by - Co-founder and Director of Women in AI Australia and Founder & CEO of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Women Australia (ESBWA) -to explore what education can learn from the businesses driving Australia's economy. Amanda shares practical advice on introducing AI without losing critical thinking, why educators should partner with local businesses to bring authentic problem-solving into the classroom, and how simple AI policies can help schools and organisations move from uncertainty to action. The conversation also tackles AI equity, bias in AI systems, and why students need to develop their own voice and judgement before relying on AI tools. If you're a teacher, school leader, university educator or anyone interested in preparing learners for an AI-enabled workforce, this episode offers practical strategies you can put into practice straight away. Find out more about:
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We've Read the AI Reports So You Don't Have To - Series 17, Episode 9
07/02/2026
We've Read the AI Reports So You Don't Have To - Series 17, Episode 9
This week, Ray and Dan dive into a mountain of new AI in education research, so you don't have to. They unpack major reports from around the world covering how students are really using AI, why schools are still struggling to provide clear guidance, and what the latest AI literacy and education readiness frameworks mean for teachers and leaders. Along the way they discuss Norway's AI restrictions in primary schools, student concerns about AI data centres, new guidance on AI in assessment, and the growing importance of the human skills that AI can't replace. If you're trying to make sense of where AI in education is heading, this episode brings together the latest evidence, trends and practical insights in one conversation. And hopefully you won't have to read all the reports below, but our conversation has given you a head start to find the right one(s) for you! Power Toys (to turn your Copilot button into a shortcut for any AI) EU: Norway imposes near ban on AI in elementary schools Australia: Sunshine Coast students push back as Australia positions itself as a global AI leader UK: Navigating AI in Education - Pupils’ perspectives on the role of AI in the classroom US: Common Sense Media Census: AI use by Teens and Tweens Australia: Learning First School Research Global: AI Literacy Framework from OECD & EC Global: New WEF report: Shaping the Future of Learning: Education Readiness for the Age of AI Australia: AI in Higher Education Research in Australia US: Lumina Foundation/Gallup - "AI in Higher Education: Widespread Use, Unclear Rules" Australia: TEQSA's new guidance on detecting AI use in student assessments Global: Preparing students for the future of work from Microsoft Global: QS World Future Skills Index
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Victoria Hedlund on AI bias: What every teacher needs to know
06/25/2026
Victoria Hedlund on AI bias: What every teacher needs to know
AI systems are increasingly being used in education, but what happens when those systems introduce hidden bias into learning, feedback, assessment and career advice? In this episode, we’re joined by (AKA The AI Bias Girl), founder of , former physics teacher, consultant and researcher specialising in AI bias in education. Victoria shares practical examples of how AI tools can produce different outputs based on gender, names, backgrounds and other personal characteristics. From explanations of how a light bulb works to career guidance and assessment, we explore how seemingly small biases can compound over time and influence attainment, wellbeing and opportunity. The conversation covers AI tutors, safeguarding concerns, assessment risks, the importance of keeping humans in the loop, and why educators need to adopt a more experimental mindset when working with generative AI. This is a thought-provoking discussion about fairness, agency and what every teacher needs to know as AI becomes increasingly embedded in education. For more background, here's two bits of Victoria's writing: Deep dive on using AI for marking Deep dive on Squishmallow Top Trumps And finally, free downloads from Victoria, including 8 bias-mitigating prompts for teachers, and a growing set of other resources on AI bias in education. Go deeper: Ray's free AI for Humans course covers this in ""
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More A's, More Fails: What AI Is Really Doing to Student Performance
06/18/2026
More A's, More Fails: What AI Is Really Doing to Student Performance
What happens when AI helps students earn more A grades, and also contributes to more failures when it's taken away? In this episode, Ray and Dan explore new research on AI's impact on student performance, assessment integrity, and learning. They discuss studies linking AI to rising grades, the risks of over-reliance on AI, and growing evidence that AI tutors may support learning better than general-purpose chatbots. The conversation also covers AI detectors, AI humanisers, teacher workload, Microsoft's latest Copilot updates, and a new tool for measuring the environmental footprint of AI use. AI in Education Research Papers Artificial Intelligence and Grade Inflation ps WSJ wrote an article on this Failing grades soar as professors see greater AI usage, dwindling math skills in UC Berkeley computer science classes Building AI Companions that Prioritise Learning over Performance Effective Personalized AI Tutors via LLM-Guided Reinforcement Learning Law Professors prefer AI over peer answers Fixing teachers’ problems? exploring teachers’ repair and maintenance work around generative AI technologies https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01596306.2026.2657793\ Dramaturgies of Deception: AI Humanizers and the Performance of Legitimacy in Higher Education Assessment Homogenizing effect of large language models (LLMs) on creative diversity: An empirical comparison of human and ChatGPT writing AI Detectors Fail Diverse Student Populations: A Mathematical Framing of Structural Detection Limits AI News Copilot Cowork released Copilot notebooks released for all free copilot chat basic accounts Andy Masley's Carbon footprint calculator| Mazenod College: Year 12 students caught using AI to cheat
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Flourishing in the Age of AI: Schools Putting Humans First
06/11/2026
Flourishing in the Age of AI: Schools Putting Humans First
What does it mean to put humans first in the age of AI? Recorded at the Flourish Conference, this special episode brings together three school leaders who are using AI in very different ways, and with a common focus on human agency. You'll hear how students are designing their own learning agents, how AI can help teachers make better use of student data while keeping information secure, and how one school is using AI-powered coaching tools to support professional learning and culture change. Across all three stories, a clear message emerges: the most effective AI initiatives aren't replacing people - they're helping students and teachers flourish. Featuring: (, Broken Bay Diocese) () () A practical look at how schools are building capability, trust and innovation with AI.
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Why One Law School Just Banned AI
06/04/2026
Why One Law School Just Banned AI
Why would a leading law school ban AI entirely while other countries are giving every citizen access to ChatGPT? In this news-focused episode, Ray and Dan unpack some of the biggest developments shaping AI and education around the world. They discuss China's new national AI education strategy, Malta's ambitious "AI for All" programme, Harvard's expansion of student AI access, and Anthropic's $200 million partnership with the Gates Foundation. The conversation explores a controversial decision by the University of California, Berkeley School of Law to prohibit AI use in assessed work, raising important questions about judgement, employability, and the future role of AI in professional education. They also examine new research on how people are actually using AI, why Australian students' digital literacy is falling despite increased screen time, and what educators can learn from a high-profile academic integrity case involving an AI-assisted newspaper article. Finally, they highlight Jason La Greca's excellent framework for testing and stress-testing educational chatbots before they are deployed to students. All the links: China launches AI empowering education action plan, includes AI into teacher qualification exams The Amazon-Perplexity Ruling and Implications for "Agentic AI" in EdTech Malta gives every Maltese (at home and abroad!) ChatGPT free - with a catch Harvard students avoid uni-provided ChatGPT Anthropic's forms $200M partnership with the Gates Foundation University of California Berkeley School of Law bans AI Australian students’ digital literacy at an all time low How people are really using AI Walton Family Foundation Educator Research: closing the expectations gap From the ”You couldn’t make this up” department Can you spot AI writing? How to break your chatbot - from Jason La Greca
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Pasi Sahlberg on AI and Flourishing in education
05/28/2026
Pasi Sahlberg on AI and Flourishing in education
What is the purpose of education in an AI-driven world? In this thought-provoking episode of the AI in Education Podcast, Ray and Dan sit down with to explore one of the biggest questions facing schools, universities, and society today. Drawing on global research, OECD trends, and decades of educational leadership, Pasi explains why traditional measures of success - achievement, credentials, and test performance - may no longer be enough in the age of AI. The conversation explores: Human capital vs human flourishing Why wellbeing and agency matter more than ever The future of assessment and PISA AI’s impact on work, learning, and society Why “hope is not a strategy” What schools should prioritise over the next decade The episode also reflects on parenting, teacher accountability, screen time, and the human skills that may become most valuable as AI capabilities accelerate. Referenced in this episode: OECD Education for Human Flourishing. An accidental guru: The making of an education warrior Sir Ken Robinson at TED - Do Schools Kill Creativity? .
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Flourish: The Human Role in AI and Education
05/21/2026
Flourish: The Human Role in AI and Education
This special live episode of the AI in Education Podcast was recorded at , where Dan and Ray explored one of the biggest questions facing education today: how do schools find the “happy middle” with AI? The conversation dives into the shifting narrative around AI and jobs, the growing role of human agency in education, and why wellbeing, flourishing and trust must remain central as AI adoption accelerates. Along the way, they unpack new research on AI bias, AI detectors, cognitive debt, student safety, and the widening gap between individual innovation and organisational readiness. The episode also reflects on keynote insights from Pasi Sahlberg and discussions around OECD flourishing metrics, parent engagement, and what schools can do now to bring entire communities along on the AI journey. This is a thoughtful, practical and deeply human conversation about balancing opportunity, risk and responsibility in education’s AI future. Topics covered: AI and the future of work Human flourishing and wellbeing AI bias in education Safe AI use in schools Parent and community engagement AI detectors and academic integrity The “happy middle” approach to technology adoption Research Papers, and links to things we discussed The changing tune of the AI leaders: The Jobs Apocalypse no more...See these tweets for last year's story: , , and And this year's story: , and Microsoft's Work Trend Index report 2026 Pasi Sahlberg His website: OECD research he discussed: (the chart was ) Victoria Hedlund, the "AI Bias Girl' and on Substack at Her LinkedIn post that kicked off the SquashMallow test: The retracted Nature research paper on AI in Education: Think U Know:
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Inside Sydney’s AI Hub: Building University Automation That Works
05/16/2026
Inside Sydney’s AI Hub: Building University Automation That Works
Inside Sydney’s AI Hub: Building University Automation That Works In this episode, Dan and Ray are joined by , now leading the Automation and Innovation Hub at the University of Sydney. Dan shares how the Hub has evolved from a robotic process automation team into a university-wide service using automation and AI to improve everyday work. With around 400 automated processes running across the university, the team helps staff remove repetitive, time-consuming tasks without taking away the human parts of their roles. The conversation explores practical examples, including AI-powered invoice processing, and how generative AI is changing the software development lifecycle. Dan explains how tools like Cursor and AI-assisted coding are speeding up development, while also raising important questions about security, code quality, workload intensity, and developer wellbeing. The episode also dives into vibe coding, what it means for enterprise systems, and why the future of software development may depend less on hand-writing code and more on communication, problem-solving, and understanding users.
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What we learned from teachers at Sydney’s Day of AI
05/07/2026
What we learned from teachers at Sydney’s Day of AI
We kick off Series 17 with a multi-interview episode! Recorded live at the , this episode brings together three educators who are reshaping teaching, assessment and student learning in real classrooms with AI. You’ll hear from at on how teachers are building shared “Brains” in NotebookLM to save time, improve differentiation and support pedagogy, while reducing workload by more than 50 hours a week across staff workflows. from shares how AI is opening new creative possibilities for students and teachers alike, and why schools needed to guide students toward using AI well rather than trying to ban it. And from explores what happens in a “post-product world”, where assessment can no longer rely on trust in the final submission alone. His focus? Designing learning experiences that value process, thinking and cognitive craft. We had a lovely grounded, practical and optimistic conversation with these teachers, who are leading from the front as schools navigate the realities of AI in education. Really great to have been invited to attend and participate by , the TASC Head of AI.
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The Castlereagh Moment: Education at a Turning Point with AI?
04/30/2026
The Castlereagh Moment: Education at a Turning Point with AI?
This week’s episode explores a defining moment for education in the age of AI. Fresh from a week of major events in Sydney, including the Microsoft AI Summit, Dan and Ray unpack the newly released Castlereagh Statement - a collaboration between 70+ education leaders calling for urgent change across schools, universities, and training systems. Their message is clear: education isn’t ready for the speed and scale of AI disruption. But that’s only part of the story. We’re also seeing a growing pushback on technology in classrooms, with schools limiting screen time and universities questioning device use; while, at the same time, new AI-first models like AI-led tutoring and mastery-based learning are emerging rapidly. Add to that a widening gap between what employers expect and what graduates can actually do with AI, plus billions being invested in infrastructure and skills, and it’s clear: something has to change. We also dive into the latest research on AI in teaching, from new peer learning models to rethinking assessment and feedback. This episode connects the dots across policy, practice, and innovation. Resources discussed this week Castlereagh Statement California schools introduce tech limits Yale considering banning all electronic devices Khan TED Institute announced LSI: The world's first AI-led university Pearson/AWS survey of employers re students The Pedagogical Promptbook Microsoft’s $25 billion AI in Australia announcement Harvard adds mandatory AI courses to English writing course Research Papers Think–Pair–Chatbot–Share: AI-Facilitated Peer Learning in Chemistry Identifying what our students have learned: a framework for practical assessment validation Using generative artificial intelligence to reimagine feedback in higher education: a collaborative autoethnography
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From Classroom to Impact: How Dawn Knight Uses AI to Help Students Thrive
04/23/2026
From Classroom to Impact: How Dawn Knight Uses AI to Help Students Thrive
In this episode, we’re joined by , a sustainability lead and specialist support educator working with deaf students in a UK secondary school (). Dawn shares how she’s using AI in simple, practical ways to make learning more accessible - not just for students with additional needs, but for everyone in the classroom. From generating transcripts and differentiated resources to using AI as a planning “checklist,” Dawn explains how these tools are helping her save time and reinvest it where it matters most: supporting students directly. The conversation explores how technology originally designed for accessibility - like captions and transcription - is now benefiting all learners, and why inclusive approaches to AI can unlock better outcomes across the board. We also dive into the realities of AI adoption in schools: what works, what doesn’t, and why starting small is often the best approach. Dawn offers a refreshingly grounded perspective, showing that you don’t need to be a technical expert to make a real impact. If you’re looking for practical ways to use AI to support students and improve classroom experiences, this episode is full of ideas you can start using today. This might also be the ideal episode to share with any colleagues who are at the beginning of their AI in teaching journey
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Australia’s AI moment: Fast adoption, slow policy, big questions
04/16/2026
Australia’s AI moment: Fast adoption, slow policy, big questions
In this episode, Dan and Ray explore how AI is rapidly reshaping education, workplaces, and policy - often faster than institutions can respond. They unpack new guidance from NSW’s NESA on student AI use, highlighting the growing tension between rules, real-world behaviour, and the need for clearer, more consistent policies across education systems. The conversation expands globally with insights from the 2026 Stanford AI Index Report, revealing that while over 80% of students are already using AI, formal education and policy frameworks are struggling to keep pace. The distinction between 'AI in education', 'AI literacy', and 'AI education' becomes critical for understanding what schools and universities could actually be building. They also discuss emerging tools like Adobe Student Spaces, evolving AI workflows using tools like Claude and Copilot, and new data showing Australians are among the most advanced AI users globally. Finally, they revisit “real AI” use cases - specifically wildlife (crocs, turtles and quokkas) detection in Australia - as a reminder that AI’s impact extends far beyond chatbots. News items discussed NSW NESA's "Use of Artificial Intelligence by students" rules Adobe Student Spaces The 2026 AI Index Report from Stanford University Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (HAI) centre Anthropic came Down Under AI crocodile detection trials begin in north Queensland Related stories from the past: Scientists use drones, cloud, and AI to protect Australia’s Quokkas Indigenous knowledge and AI help protect baby turtles from predators on Australia’s remote Cape York Strengthen your research workflow with generative AI
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Jocelyn Brewer - How schools and parents rethink student wellbeing in the age of AI
04/09/2026
Jocelyn Brewer - How schools and parents rethink student wellbeing in the age of AI
In this episode, Dan and Ray are joined by psychologist and cyber psychology expert , founder of , to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing education today: how schools and parents can support student wellbeing in an AI-driven world. Jocelyn introduces the concept of “” - a more balanced, intentional approach to technology use that moves beyond simplistic ideas like screen time limits. Together, they explore how young people are already using AI for everything from homework to navigating friendships, often in ways adults don’t fully understand. The conversation dives into the risks and opportunities of AI as a companion, why banning technology rarely works, and how schools can shift from restriction to risk minimisation. Jocelyn also challenges educators and parents to engage more openly with young people, positioning them as experts in their own digital lives. This episode is a powerful reminder that there are no simple answers - but doing nothing isn’t an option. We recommend you to keep topping up with her fantastic advice!
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Inside the latest AI in education research: tutors, bias, and impact
04/02/2026
Inside the latest AI in education research: tutors, bias, and impact
This week’s episode dives into a wave of new research shaping how AI is actually being used in education. We explore what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to AI-generated feedback, including why blended, “hybrid” feedback may be the most effective approach - and why more feedback doesn’t always lead to better outcomes. The conversation then turns to one of the most important emerging issues: bias in AI systems. From subtle differences in tone to stereotyping based on student characteristics, the research highlights why educators need to be cautious about the data they provide AI tools. “If you use AI to write feedback, it does not treat every student the same way equally.” We also talk about the growing evidence around AI tutors - where they outperform humans, where they fall short, and what actually drives meaningful learning gains. Along the way, we tackle major questions around detection, student use, teacher workload, and whether AI can ever replace human connection. The big takeaway? AI is powerful. And how we design, guide, and use it in education matters more than ever. Research Papers discussed this week AI for Feedback Directive, metacognitive, or a blend of both? A comparison of AI-generated feedback types on student engagement, confidence, and outcomes AI assistance in peer feedback provision: Pedagogically sound, but minimally adopted Marked Pedagogies: Examining Linguistic Biases in Personalized Automated Writing Feedback AI and Bias The Life Cycle of Large Language Models: A Review of Biases in Education AI Tutors AI tutoring can safely and effectively support students: An exploratory RCT in UK classrooms LearnMate: Enhancing Online Education with LLM-Powered Personalized Learning Plans and Support Effective Personalized AI Tutors via LLM-Guided Reinforcement Learning Unifying AI Tutor Evaluation: An Evaluation Taxonomy for Pedagogical Ability Assessment of LLM-Powered AI Tutors AI Detection Trusting AI to detect AI? A systematic evaluation of the reliability and robustness of current AIGC detection tools for student academic work (paywalled) Teacher Workload Shiksha Copilot: Teacher-AI Collaboration for Curating and Customizing Lesson Plans in Low-Resource School Student use The Secret Life of Students project - WonkHE Feb/March 2026 Is a random human peer better than a highly supportive chatbot in reducing loneliness over time? Go deeper: Ray's free AI for Humans course covers this in ""
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UnBlooms: Tina Austin on thinking well with AI and rethinking Bloom’s
03/26/2026
UnBlooms: Tina Austin on thinking well with AI and rethinking Bloom’s
joins Ray and Dan for a wide-ranging conversation about what AI adoption really looks like in US education beyond the hype, the headlines and the endless frameworks. Tina is an educator, consultant, policy adviser and the founder of GAInable. She works with schools, colleges and faculty teams on responsible AI adoption. In this episode, she shares how her work evolved from teaching bioethics and AI ethics into supporting educators across the US as they grapple with policy, privacy, assessment, tools, and changing classroom practice. The conversation explores the fragmented reality of AI in education, why many teachers are feeling “frameworked out”, and why Tina believes the best place to start is not with the tool, but with the problem you are trying to solve. We also dig into Tina’s “UnBlooms” framework - a challenge to linear interpretations of Bloom’s Taxonomy in the age of generative AI - and discuss critical thinking, student reflection, equity, privacy, and why educators should stay sceptical of easy answers. A thoughtful episode on using AI well, asking better questions, and meeting learners where they are. Here's all the links you need: Tina's new venture, Gainable AI The UnBlooms™ model: A Problem-Centered Framework for Learning Design in the AI Era Tina's Custom GPT for UnBloom: You can contact Tina on email at Go deeper: the free AI for Humans course covers this in ""
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